News is information about current events, both national and international. It keeps people informed of what is happening around them and gives them the ability to understand complex issues. It also provides entertainment and leisure, such as sports coverage and cultural reporting.
News should be unbiased and reflect reality. However, this can be difficult when there is a desire to influence public opinion or when a journalist has an agenda. This is known as bias and should be avoided where possible.
The way in which an article is written will determine its news value. It is important to know your audience and write to their interests. For example, an article about a football match will be of interest to fans of the team and those interested in the sport but it will not have the same impact on non-fans or those not interested in either. The same is true for political stories, although these should be treated with caution as they can have a direct effect on society.
A good way to identify a news story is to ask yourself ‘is this interesting or significant?’ If the answer is yes, it should be considered newsworthy. The article should be written to highlight the importance of the event or issue and provide readers with a detailed description of what is taking place.
The main function of news is to inform the public but it also serves as a watchdog, exposing corruption and wrongdoing. It also provides an opportunity for debate and discussion about social issues.